ebe Cattntrib
The Whigs of North Devonshire had a grand muster at Ilfracombe on Wednesday week. They entered the town headed by bands of music ands hundred gentlemen on horseback, amidst the ringing of bells and discharge of cannon. The dinner-party was not very numerous; there being room fur only 2-25 persons. Lord Ebrington, in whose honour the entertainment was given, and Mr. J. P. B. Chichester, Member for Barnstaple, were the principal speakers. Lord Ebring- ton spoke vaguely in defence of the Whig Administration ; and said nothing which could be taken as an intimation that popular measures were in preparation fin the next session. He admitted and deplored
the Whig failure at the late elections, especially in the counties-
" I have heard this accounted for in different ways: I have been told that those who compose this class of the constituency, having no particular grievance to complain of, are again become apathetic and indifferent ; that past services are forgotten, or, like eaten bread, arc but little thought of; I have heard also much of corruption, and intimidation, and undue influence ; but while I think that each and all of these have had their effect, I am fully persuaded that misre- presentation has done more than them all is swaying the county elections in favour of the Tory party. It is painful to me to make this declaration, but at the same time I tell you what I believe to be the truth, :toil I know of no reason which should induce me to cooceal from you an opinion which forces itself irre- sistibly on my own mind. I need not add, that the eh cumstance I have stated —making, as it does, the course of Government more difficult than before— renders it more than ever necessary for the friends of Reform to be firm and united, to be cautious and prudent, and, above all, to be patient, in order to enable Ministers successfully to contend with the difficulties to which I have alluded."
But it was a consolation to know that the Queen was with the Whigs- " I trust that if the fu iends of Reform are firm and united, poticot rind firr- learing, the difficulties by which the course of the Ministry is beset may be overcome : and I am happy to think that in one respect at least there is n great &fere:lee between this and fop trier reigns—that the tone and Lingo nge and dis- position of the Court are strictly in unison with the feeling, of the Qacen's responsible advisers. I sin aware that there is a degree of delicacy in intro- ducing the name of the Sav:reign as romtected with the acts of the Govern- ment; but I cannot forget, that wino the inclinations of the Sovereign were supposed to be in sortie degree adverse to the councils of his 3Iinisters, his 31ajesty'a name was brought forward not very scrupulously by the Tories, although they are now descanting very largely on the nuptupriety of any allu- sion to the sentiments of the Sovereign, and very properly say tint the Minis- ters of the Crown, and not the pet son who wears it, arc responsible for the acts tithe Government. I fully subscrilie to that opinion; hut, at the same time, I do not feel that I am guilty of any injustice to the illustrious I'rincess who now happily sits on the British throne, nor of any infringement of the prin- ciples of the constitution, in remarking that the tone of the Court accords with the feelings of the Ministry."
Mr. Chichester prided himself on following its Lord Ebrington's footstep, and recommended union among all Reformers_
They might talk of an extension of the suffrage, the billot, the repeal of the 801. e! :use, but all world not snake nip fia the absence of unity i,f purpose and operation, and a vigilant attention to the registration. It couhl not be expected Mat the !women and tradesmen whom he PM' around him could leave their bu- iners to attend to registration and organization ; there were men to whom this important department belonged ; nod if they acted with ...liciency, so far would the Tories be from the realization of their hopes of In i Ing nig in another man of their Own choice, that they wool i infallibly lose him whoop the apathy of Vie kr:mru [It was not by such speeches as these, by recommetaletioes to be "patient and forbearing," and by prophecies of a flu-nothing session, that the Reformers were inspirited to tight and win the battle of 1831. Never yet were the Tories beaten in tactics by Whigs; never will the damping policy give victory to the popular cause.]
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